Five lessons learned by being kind to bugs

It was a salesman. Upon opening the door, there was a spider hanging down from the top of the doorway in between us. I stepped back in the house, grabbed a hat that was hanging on the rack, reached it up toward the spider, let it land on top, then shook it down into the flower garden.

“I just don’t like killing bugs,” I told the salesman.

After what seemed like the longest silence in the history of door-to-door sales pitches, the man replied, “Or, you could just do that.” He then thanked me for my time, telling me that given my thoughts on killing bugs, I may not be interested in his product.

He was selling pest control.

I like bugs. In fact, I love bugs, and not in the “I’m cool ‘cuz bugs don’t gross me out” kind of way. I like bugs because because each play an important role in making our earth work. I also like bugs for the subtle, yet profound way they help me teach my children compassion. And, yes, you read right.

Here are 5 life lessons that can be learned by being kind to bugs:

• 1. Don’t pick on the little guy. When your child sees a bug, his or her first reaction is usually to kill it. When this happens, explain that bugs are small and just because we are bigger, doesn’t mean we can hurt them. Then, carefully sweep it up and take it outside to its home.

• 2. Everyone and everything plays a part on earth. Recently, my 6-year-old stepped on a worm outside after a rainstorm. He had seen a friend do this, and thought it was OK. And though I didn’t get mad at him, he did get an earful on how worm droppings make our trees and flowers grow. He has not stepped on a worm, since.

• 3. Hard work pays off. If you ever get the chance to watch bees pollinate, or ants build an ant hill, I highly suggest you take advantage of it. I took my 4-year-old to see an ant hill the other day, and I talked to her about how hard each tiny ant worked to build that giant ant hill, carrying one pebble at a time. She was amazed, and now wants to build her very own castle.

• 4. Keep your room clean. The only times we’ve had noticeable bugs, is when things weren’t picked up and cleaned properly. I tell my kids that if they don’t want bugs in their rooms, they must keep things clean. Works like a charm.

• 5. Overall compassion for living things. If your kids won’t hurt a fly, stomp on a spider, or destroy an ant hill, there is a very good chance that they won’t be a bully or take part in other destructive activities.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to clean up a spill that is attracting some cute little ants … .

Arianne Brown is a mom of 6, and Southern Utah native. To read more of her articles, search, “A Mother’s Write” on Facebook. You can also email her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com.